Pneumatic protector for automobiles



1943- I c. B. STRAUCH 2,326,720

PNEUMATIC PROTECTOR FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed Dec. 19, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 fizz e/2 for:

Aug. 10, 1943.

c. B. STRAUCH 2,326,720 PNEUMATIC PROTECTOR FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed Dec. 19, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 116 4 1/0 fla 2&4 4 109 1/0 111 flj Z/ I p v -'..-------v,

Patented Aug. 10,1943

nuns D 5mm rnrfsnr orrlt jsf mum nine rnorizc'roaroa f1} AUTOlYiQBILES Clarzssl urkart' Strauch, Milwaukee, Wis.

Applieatienllecember 19, 193 9, SerialNo. 309,996 eo a ms. (c1.}m 52 -fj This invention relates to imprcvementslinhautomobiles and more particularly to improved constructionsof pneumatic fenders adapted to lessen the dangers-of automobile accidents.

* This case is a continuation in part OfmyTCO;

pending applications Serial #260,672, filedMarch 9, 1939, now U. S. Patent #2,218,690 issued October 22, 1940-,and Serial #297,545pfiled'0ctcber 2, 1939, now U. S, Patent No. 2,3.05,205,'issued Dec. 15, 1942-.

Heretoiore, automobiles have been Iprovided.

with fenders, constructed merely for streamlining and decorative purposes and against :the dirt thrown from the wheels. ..They consist of thin walled, decorated metal bodies, lately of large dimensions, which are easily marred and crushed by any impact, leading to repeated andcostly repairs, without offering any protection incollisions.

As an improvement,-pneumatic fenders have been proposed.

it is well known that: hollow bodies madeiof elastic and flexible material such as rubber "will tend to assume rounded and spherical shapes when inflated under pressure. The pneumatic;

fenders, which havebeen proposed;-consi'st, thereioregof relatively heavy walls containing a relatively small air spaceflnflated at"low.pressure to obviate changeof shape. Such pneumatic ifend--' ersprotect in .collisionschiefly'bythe elasticity u of theheavywalls of the casings, and do not substantially utilize the essential resiliency 012.com

pressed air, in such degreepas in automobile :tires.

It is my invention, as described inthe aforesaid applications, to construct-pneumatic cush;

ions in the shape of protruding fenders; formiing integral, detachable parts of the car; the cushions consisting of relatively thin outer casiings composedof fabric, rubber .and optionally wires; each carrying an innertubeheldand supported by'the body of the car and special supports; filled with air under pressure andjnflating the cushions to firm, but'yielding,resilient,

elastic protectors, which-term, includesfpneumatic iendersaoting at the same time as bumpers by their protruding outer poles respectively as resilient bases for bumper rodsattached to these poles.

It is my present invention to provide additional.

methods for holding my pneumatic protectors in the desired shape when inflated, e specially such protectors which are to be inflated by higherair pressure; to provide,means for constructing nonbulging pneumatic fenders or protectors in any form' necessary for practical, technical or artis 3 Figure 2 is a sideelevationhtthe right-re fender showing in, interrupted-lines the projeci tion. of the innertube .aggregate}and also parts"v of lar, tubular,- spheric'al nor convex shapes; and to permit lconstrnction(if-"automobileswith stream lined-protectors serving as" mudguards, wind breakers. and bumpers, cushioning at thesame time bypneumatic pressure;inflated resiliency all surfaces; liableto be involved in accidents, protectingjcarand ,occupantsas well; as outside;

personsior objects colliding withthe ;car, without deducting however,"in any rna-nner and at, any degree of inflation'from the :artisticand con- :structional appearance of. the-car, 1

vmn the foregoing objects outlined andwith other objectsin view'whichwill appearas the description proceeds, -the invention consistsflin the novel features hereinafter described in detail, illustrated in the accompanying-drawings,

and' more particularly pointedout in the appended claims.

In the drawings: Figure ,1 is. a, plan viewo'f anTautO f ohile apfplied with protectors according to myinventi-on,1 showing in its right half, representingthe-right' half of the automobile, ininterrupted lines. the

projections of the outlines of the hea dlightj body, of the wheels and oLthef'metallicbrackets serving as a support for, the'protectors;-omitting details Y of the car body; Apartflof thehood'isibrolgen awayto 'show'the radiator-andthe air inlet.=

the lower support brackets. Th h been detached. v x y Figure 3 is a vertical. sectional view .011. line. 33 of Figure 1:,and Figures 4 and5 are modifi- L cations thereof. v p 1 Figure. 6 represents a plan View of the right rearprotector showingin interrupted lines the projection of theinnertube aggregate. i Figure 7 isa vertical sectionalvview on line 1+? of Figure 6.

Figure: 8 represents 7 a plan. View ot the right front protector showing in, interrupted lines the projection of the innertubeaggregate, and Figure j 9 represents a side elevationot the same; protcctor, showing in interrupted lines the inner tubes projected, after the wheel has been re- Figure-l2 is a vertical sectional view of on line IZ-fZof FigureS.

In Figure 1, is the right front pneumatic fender or protector as defined before, fastened to the body'or frame 2| or" the car, serving as mudguard for the wheel 22 and also byits ap terior pole as a resilient support for an optional metallic bumper rod 23 which is heldby a flexible, I

baseplate 23, representing an added enforcement to the casing ofthe protector. The front pole-of the protector may contain a depression adapted to hold the headlamp 25 in the same manner as in metallic fenders; i 1Inits preferred fem thep'r-ote'cter 20' r sis-ts'of a casing,- similar in purposealnd construction" to the" casing ofan automobile tire}. withthe differences describedflbelow; and an inner'tube of novel structure. The casing,-'however;-is'cut away on the parts'not subject to: actual contact with-external objectseii'e'etinga large window in thec'asi ng. The freeedg'es o1 'the'windovt are Y secured bymeans or a bead tothe'bodYZ-F of the car; to the rearbracket 2&"theniront bracket 21 and an arched support 28, forming an all en.

closed c avityr In Figure 1,1 preferito Show the protector 20 convergingtowards the median line, contacting the left front protector 29', both se-- cured and backed thei-r anterior poles by a curved metallic bracket 39, extending forward fromthe body or frame of the automobile as indicatedby the position r the radiator 3-1. The arched bracket, is open towards' the street,

which opening serves as anan i'r'xlet 32 aided by a shelf Siextirdihg from the radiator 3i downward anci "i'orwardin an angle of 4-5 to increase theintake of-the airflow indicated by thearrowf i tie-is, the right rear protector fastened to the carer and to'the' supports is s; as and st. serving as mudguard for the wheel 38 and as a resiiient base tothe optional metallic bumper-rod 39,- held by'the base'pl'ate W. The protector 3$ is con' structed-an'd suspended similar: manner as described above for the front. protector 20. r The rear poles of the protector 3i and; the correspondmg left protector 4f do not'rnee't inyth'e example shOWIito; facilitate a'ccess; to the ruggag'e compartment and other rear parts of the ear. 7 In Figure 2, 134 istheright rear protector.

The screws -62 and 43 hol'd th e assets the casing,

window to" the rear bracket, owhien itself is fastened to the body'oithe car by screws such as. Thefroht bracket 3''? holds the headof casing. window by the. screw 67-.

blunt cones whose bases have been replaced by segments of spheres or related rounded bodies. The six divisional innertubes are assembled within the cavity of the left rear protector 3-4 to form a unit or innertube aggregate, having a common air inlet, 54, Figure 6, leading to a cencompletely as possible. As illustrated in Figure '7-, of; the hollow spaces left between casing part 58 and the innertubes 53, only the dead corner spaces where the enclosure changes directiom are necessarily filled out by. a flexible inlay such as the inlay 59 and 68. The inlay 6| fllling o'ut the dead: space between the bladder 53 the-rigid bracket 35- isoptional and re quir'edlonly if the surfaces of the bladder53 do not actually contact the bracket. as a counter s pportig 7 7 Eachf'innertub'e unit-is: constructed of a flexible noneelastilc littl'e yielding material only, such as; form-stance of rubber and cottonefibers or of loadedand well vulcanized rubber similar, for example, to therubber used in rubber heels of shoes; each ofth composing units 38i.5:{ is furtherconstructed of a shape which: on inflation willpr'eserv the form of the pattern or design according to whichhas been constructed and. will such size as to fit into the'cavity formed by casing and metal parts snugly but without restricting compression, the outside or the innertu'be aggregate to be made of the same form and. dimensio'nsas theinsideof the casing cavity;' and theinnertube aggregate is to contact at least the inner corners? of the casing, aided by flexible inlays or additions, if necessary.

- It: is part otmyinvention, to fill out more or less. all the dead; spaces by the means: shown in Figure 3 5.v In Figure 3, the casing part 62 enc'lbsesthe two curvedtubes-lfl and. 49. The wincc'ow of the casing secured to the frame or body it. of thecan. holdsv the other bead 6B of the i'sprovided iii its inner. surface with extending folds, :prominerrcesv and: enlargements so as to surroundtli'eirrm'ertubes 48 and 49 without dead spacer. and; 69 are optional decorative additions tothe surface: of the casing and are not 7 shown. irrthe' other figures.

the casing by the screw 5' and'is'itseli'fasteried l to the body by the screw 46. 41 represents; the axle of the-wheel 38; which haslbeen detached.

Screws 7 suchas 6? secure the casing to the arch 36. g

The all enclosed cavity for-ined bythebody 21 of the car,-the brackets 35; so and 31 one casing of the protector 3 4- is infiated by an segregate of six-innert'ubes in the Figures; 2, 3, 6 and- 7, while Figs; 4' and 5 modifications. In these figures; 8 and 19'- aie' two curved tubes, each closed as seen ends by a segment or a sphere or other m nace body. 58, 5 5? and 53 are additional inriertubes of shapes resembling the mom "s beads iii InFigure 4, 1.0 is the-body of the car, tojwhich a bracket 1L. corresponding in purpose to: the bracket 36 of Figure Q, is fastened by the screw 12; Inthe modification illustrated her-"e,- the innertube'aggregate has-been fused withLthe casing? and the pneumatic tender,- there-fore, consists of asolid; fender shapedgela'stic body 14- inflated through a; common inlet 15 by the containedcavities l6 and 11 shaped as the innertubes shown in Fig-Ure'sZ SaIid 7 and connected by communieating air passages-such as F3.- 'I'he fender is fastenedto car' and brackets by the nuts 19 and lid taking l'iold or screws extending'from g and 8'2. The external srreg srtne fender, the cavit es, and the suspension correspond in the other parts tothe de- Inflating air The casing 62 tails shown in the other figures withtheexception ofithefusion between innertube aggregate and casing,.t ransforming.in efiect and for manufacturing purposes the .whole fender into one'unit containing cavities and metallic beads for attachment to the car. i i

In Figure 5, 83 is the frame or. body'of the "car and 84 the bracketcorresponding to thearch 35 of Figures 1,2 and 3iin location and function, although modified in form. It is fastened'to'the II'2 and'are connectedwiththegroup of front plained before, without limiting, however, any of the constructions to the usewitheither protector.-

- The Figures 8, 9 and 11 illustrate how the back portion'of the'protector is inflated by the'four' curved tubes I58, I09, III and III whichiare'provided'with communicating air passages such as I subdivisions by the air'passagelm and with a body 83 by the screw and nut 85, '.86.represents the casing of :the fender, held by the'flat metal rods 81 and B8 pressed against the body 83 respectively 8S and 84, holding the'casing-firmly in its place. Within the casing 86, two curved innertubes 9! and 92 such as shown'in Figure 2 and Figure 6 are located Whichvcommunicate among themselves and are connectedlby air passages with the other 4 tubes of the innertube ag gregate, to be inflated byia; common inlet. In vthe modification illustrated in Figure 5, the dead spaces of the casing are filled by optional flexible but non-inflatable and non-compressible" inlays 93 and 94 forming apartof the innertube aggregate oribeing independent I All non-deforming pneumatic bodies, such as I prefer to use them for the assembly, of the 'innertube aggregate of my protectors, must comply with the test'r'equirement that. each unit will not balloon or bulge and not change its form-as compared withithe form of .thepattern, design or moldiaccording to which it was constructed, 7 when inflated by a pressurewhichiissufficient to expand i. the flexible; inelastic material, 1 from which the body is made, but is below the break- 7 ing point of the material; Itwill be found that most forms meeting this test, are composed of a plurality of circles, having a continuous increase, possiblyan evenclevel, and a 'decreasein diameter; the axis of the circles is'generallyarranged likewiseas the axis of the bodyand the circles are arranged inthe same plane as the expansion wouldtendtoidefcrm the*body.' i v The Figures 8, 9,11 and-12 illustratein-dif- I'erent View the construction of the rightfront r fender cr'protector 2!! of Figure 1, and'its innertube.

The structure of thecasing and the su'scentral pressure indicating and inflating station by'the inlet. II I; I'Ihe' foursdivisional tubes, -Ifi3 I I I are also madeffrom flexible non-yielding material such as rubber and fibers or well vulcanized and filled rubber such as found in cheaper rubber goods. They'are assembled'and preferably united into one unit showing singl'e septums, as seen in Figurejll, andof such size, a

that, when" made, th eioutside of the aggregate fits snugly butwithout undue space or compression intothe inside of easing;

V Each'iof the divisional junits ldli -I I I, can be considered as consisting; of a non-deforming tube simil'a'r'tothe unitsfig and fiSfdescribedbefQre,

distinguished by the removal of one segment each from tube H38 and II I respectively two segments Veachfrom lctlandv IIII, permittingto join the units into an'aggregate which will not bulge or balloon-on inflation, and has a more level sur face with less dead space. Thesmall dead spaces 7 such as I I2 and I I3, may be filled as described in the FiguresB' andi or the casing may befdispensed 'with, as illustrated in Figure '5. 1 As indi cated in the figures, the cross section of ea'chf of the units IBIS-II I','re'presents a part of ac'ircle andeach is closed on-bothen'ds by a semester afsphere. i

; The.construction of'the anterior part or the i 5 right front protector is'shcwn in Figures '8, g and V 12; as composed of '7 cavitiesfl film, The dead pension of the same corresponds principally to the details described for thelrear tender in the Figures2,3,6and7. w 7;,

In Figure 8, 23 is the protecton'which is attached to the body 2 I of -theoar andlto the arch 36 directly and: by the brackets, substantially as indicated in Figure 1, and'similarly asidescribed "for the. rear fender. The nuts such as Sirepre- 1 sent some ofthe connecting structures.

In Figure 9, the arch 28 is seenjto' which the casing is fastened by screws such as 95 97 is the axle of the wheel ZZwhichhas been removed.

'The casing is held by the screws 93 and 98 to thebrackets 26 andZl 'In Figure ll, the bracket 28 issecured by the screw N39 to the body or frame 2I, and the screws 35 and IIII are holdingthe casing edge with the aid of the flat rods Hi2 and IE3, The casing has a bead. I8 2, providing angular and-straight surfaces to the casing. i

' v inaverticalsection,'asshown inlFigurelZthe units do not represent;necessarily rounded, outlines as seen'f rom thesefction of "'the' cavity I26 C and also fromfthe projection ofthejunoture I26,

In Figure l2hthe assernbly." of the bracket'fl 1 to the arch 3E, protecting the radiator, is rep resented .by' the screw I65. The casingis .heldto these rigid structures continuing-its cavity, b1

the screws I06 and IE1.

The innertube for the protector 20, illustrated" invarious views in the Figures 8, 9, 11, and 12, I

' represents a modification of the principle'exspaces.- between a the frontpoles of the-tubes ible inlays such: as I21 and I22. Allcav fiies'are connected-by air passages; such asfifitfi Of the sub-units, iI I5 I2Il,' each has two flati'nner sur faces; of which always the two adjoining, such which is supplementedby th'e i l y iggj f between thelunit I20 andf-I I9, indicated in in,- terruptedlines. v

-I have foundthat the,approximationtolanon deforming body, produced by rounding the. outer surfaces, as describedand illustrated, in conhec'e tionwith'thebracing against ballooning afforded I 7 I by the deep septums and by the rigid metal exteni sionof the casing as idescribedbe foregwill suifi} casing ,wh'en the innertube inflated provided-1 Marthe met i el-ir i ht iinne a eqbmk I plex is made is relatively inextensible and will not yield, on the pressure used except in such extent as to supply tension to the'casing. I I i In Figure 10, the preferred construction of till which is preferably vulcanized to thecasing,

forming an integral part of the bead, and contacts the inside of the casing in a firmunion, firmly surrounding and enclosing the head I ill, which itself is drawn by. thescrew l3l, forming preferably a part of the metal rod I39, and the nut I 32 firmly against the metallic wall 121, effecting a strong, but'easily detachable union between'casing and the metallic structures.:, The attachment illustrated in Figure 10, 'can be modified by omitting'the full loop around the metal rod and merely holdingthe edge or" the casing by press-.

ing it between a flat metal, rod, and the supporting metal structures by meansof screwsheld in 4 place by friction of holes in the edge of the casing, through which the screws are conducted, 01' by welding them to the rod, to iacilitateassembly. This modification is illustrated in' Figures 5, 11 and 12,; I also employ beads whichcontain metal rods vulcanized in, as shown, for instance in Figures 3 andl, and attachthefender by screws taking hold of these metal inserts. 1

For; protection: against sharp I forces; for

strength and absence of-bulk, I prefer to include wire such as piano steel wire or steel wire cable or others into the structure of my protector; In

{Figure 10, I33. represents, a v wire enforcement {which has been made part. of the :casing structure and l34 representscross sections of similar wires forming,- together with, other wires of the directionthe wire I33 has, alwirecloth, enfor'cing'the casing, and greatlyincreasing the strength of the assemblylof the casing to the metallic structures, since, as illustrated in Figure 10, part of the wiresextend around thebead and are held firmly between bead and metallic-body.v j i The protectors should be inflated by a pressure suflicient to transform them into firm, resilient,

well shaped bodies, capable of afiording protec- 7 tion to the car in accidents. Generally a pressure in approximation used to the pressure in tires is practical, and I find that I prefer to inflate the innertubes such that the casing is taut or under Z strain while the innerbladders are fully expanded.

Tneinilating is best done from a central station, inflating all or a plurality of the protectors simultaneously, checking also the pressure by an indi cating device. Each line leading to aprotectc'r is preferably provided with a shutoff valve to iacilitate discovery of leakage in one protector. When travelling at highspeed the valves may b closed to increase the resistance of the protesters, each acting singly, whilethe protectors will act some- }what softer when the connecting lines with open transmitting valves connect all four protectors.

' The size of. the airpassages withinithe innertube aggregates also regulates the degree'of resil- My construction of the inne'rtube aggregate, has, outside-of the preventionbfballooning, the

cavity by the smaller subdivisions, able to bear greater; inflating pressure, since theistrength of the wall" against a load increases with reduction or ltssln'iace. "The added construction of using wires, or cables within the structure of the casing, permits to employ high pressures in the protectors, required or preferred for some purposesxas forinstancefor the protectors used in buses, trucks or other heavy vehicles.

the-construction of the innertube aggregate can be modified in 'numerous forms, usingas a basic requirement inextensible-material for the innertulie and at least one septum directed to the linemost likelyto balloons While I have disclosed what I now consider to bexsome preferred embodimentsof the invention .insuch manner thatthey may be readily'understood,git;ismanifest thatwchanges may be made in the details, disclosed without departingfrom the-spirit of the invention as expressed in the claims. V l 1 l'claim: j --1. A nonrsymmetrical pneumatic'tender for automobiles-comprising an outer casing, and a plurality of inflated inner memberssubstantially V filling the outer casing and as arr-aggregate, main- "taining the outer casing in its desired non-symmetrical shape substantially without bulging, said innersmembersbeing hollow'and formed of flexible,"substantially inextensible material, said inher-members being-arranged in close'proximity to each other and having outerportions' bearing against the casing, saidio-uter portions of the .inner members having contours corresponding to a portion of fa symmetrical geometrical surface of revolution, whereby bulging of the non-symmetrical casing is prevented. V

2. A non-symmetrical pneumatic tender for automobiles comprising anouter casing,'and a plurality of inflated inner members substantially filling the outer casing and as an aggregate, maintaining the outericasingin its desired nonsyinmetiicalshape substantially without bulging,

said inner members fbeinghollo'w andformed of .fiexible, substantially inextensible material, said hollow inner members being connected .;by air passages, said inner members being arranged in close'proximity' to eachv other. and having outer great advantage, as to strengthen the protector I andto reduce greatly thefdange'rsoi'bursting since eachof the septums acts asa; beam holding the two opposing surfaces together, reducingatthe same time, the'inner size of the protector portions .bearing .1 against" the casing, said outer portions of the inner members having contours corresponding to: a portion'of a syinmetrlcalgeometricaljsurface of revolution, whereby bulging of the non-symmetrical casing is prevented.

3.qA non-symmetrical pneumatic fender for automobiles comprisingan outer casing, and a plurality of inflated inner members substantially filling the outer casing Land as, anraggregate, maintaining'the outer casirginits desired nonsymmetrical shape, substantially without bulging,

-saidinner member's'being :hollow and formed of flexible, substantially inextensible material, said inner members being arranged in an orderly sequence with their adjacent portions flattened and having outer portions bearing against the casing, said outer portions of the inner members having contours corresponding to a portion ofa symmetrical geometrical surface of revolution, whereby bulging of the non-symmetrical casing .wCLAUSS'BUHKhRT sTRA-ocH. 

